Five things 'dented' All Blacks must fix in South Africa

The All Blacks are preparing to face the world champion Springboks in South Africa, with New Zealand's head coach Ian Foster under intense pressure to end their dire run of form after four defeats in their last five matches.

AFP looks at five things the All Blacks must fix in their opening Rugby Championship fixture against the Springboks on 7 August in Mbombela.

Stop opposing drives

The All Blacks' new forwards coach Jason Ryan saw how the home side was out-muscled by the Irish pack in this month's home series defeat and admitted what he witnessed "dented" New Zealand's pride.

The Irish scored a key early try off a driving maul in winning the decisive third Test in Wellington, which Ryan says must not be repeated in South Africa.

"We've got to stop mauls and also improve our contact area," Ryan told reporters in Wellington before the All Blacks flew to South Africa.

"The All Black pack has been dented and we talked about it in the forwards meeting, we didn't hide anything and were really honest, which we have to be."

Score first

Ireland were the first team to score in all three Test matches against New Zealand.

The All Blacks can ill afford another slow start to let the Springboks take an early lead in Mbombela.

Foster admitted it was a point the All Blacks had highlighted internally, yet the mistake was repeated on consecutive Saturdays against the Irish.

"For some reason we're not as calm, particularly defensively. It's more the defence where we're getting fidgety early, we're letting a few holes through," Foster said.

Those holes must be closed in South Africa.

Create more 'big moments'

Beauden Barrett is a world-class playmaker, but the All Blacks' star can not carry his side alone and needs support from his teammates in attack.